29 posts from February 2010

February 23, 2010

We are trying to give every football player in the state of Florida exposure. While there is no guarantee that every athlete listed will be offered a collegiate scholarship, the names are out there for colleges and universities to check out.

You can do your part by making sure that the names, schools and other information is correct. We have contacted every high school coach in the state who has also provided us with game film of teams and players, which helps us evaluate every player who puts on a uniform in the state of Florida.

We provide this service, along with other information to help the recruiting experience. Keep in mind, in the off season, we add over 100 names per week to these lists!

If you have prospects to add to this ongoing list, please send player information and video (You Tube/Hudl) link to Larry Blustein at Floridakids1@aol.com.

The Miami Herald is trying to help fans and colleges across the country by listing spring games and jamborees. If you have a date and a location for your game/jamboree, please let Larry Blustein know by e-mailing him at LBlustein@miamiherald.com.

We are trying to give every football player in the state of Florida exposure. While there is no guarantee that every athlete listed will be offered a collegiate scholarship, the names are out there for colleges and universities to check out.

You can do your part by making sure that the names, schools and other information is correct. We have contacted every high school coach in the state who has also provided us with game film of teams and players, which helps us evaluate every player who puts on a uniform in the state of Florida.

We provide this service, along with other information to help the recruiting experience. Keep in mind, in the off season, we add over 100 names per week to these lists!

If you have prospects to add to this ongoing list, please send player information and video (You Tube/Hudl) link to Larry Blustein at Floridakids1@aol.com.

The Miami Herald is trying to give every football player in the state of Florida exposure. While there is no guarantee that every athlete listed will be offered a collegiate scholarship, the names are out there for colleges and universities to check out.

You can do your part by making sure that the names, schools and other information is correct. We have contacted every high school coach in the state who has also provided us with game film of teams and players, which helps us evaluate every player who puts on a uniform in the state of Florida.

If there is anything you need to add to this list, please send the correspondence on to Larry Blustein at LBlustein@miamiherald.com.

Also, follow us on twitter@larryblustein and on FACEBOOK at Herald Recruiting.

We provide this service, along with other information to help the recruiting experience. Keep in mind that we add over 100 names per week to these lists!

We are trying to give every football player in the state of Florida exposure. While there is no guarantee that every athlete listed will be offered a collegiate scholarship, the names are out there for colleges and universities to check out.

You can do your part by making sure that the names, schools and other information is correct. We have contacted every high school coach in the state who has also provided us with game film of teams and players, which helps us evaluate every player who puts on a uniform in the state of Florida.

We provide this service, along with other information to help the recruiting experience. Keep in mind, in the off season, we add over 100 names per week to these lists!

If you have prospects to add to this ongoing list, please send player information and video (You Tube/Hudl) link to Larry Blustein at Floridakids1@aol.com.

The Miami Herald is trying to give every football player in the state of Florida exposure. While there is no guarantee that every athlete listed will be offered a collegiate scholarship, the names are out there for colleges and universities to check out.

You can do your part by making sure that the names, schools and other information is correct. We have contacted every high school coach in the state who has also provided us with game film of teams and players, which helps us evaluate every player who puts on a uniform in the state of Florida.

If there is anything you need to add to this list, please send the correspondence on to Larry Blustein at LBlustein@miamiherald.com.

We provide this service, along with other information to help the recruiting experience. Keep in mind that we add over 100 names per week to these lists!

February 22, 2010

Before Sunday's Under Armour Combine in Miami, there weren't many people who had heard of Nova High's Nile Lawrence. The 6-1 1/2, 299-pound junior, however, drew plenty of eyeballs with his performance during drills.

Less than 24 hours later, Lawrence is already off the recruiting availability board. Monday night, Lawrence said he called coaches at Florida State -- one of only two schools to offer him until today -- and informed him he was ready to become the Seminoles' latest 2011 commitment.

"FSU is the school I've wanted to go to since I don't know when," said Lawrence, who impressed scouts when he a laser timed 4.9 40-yard dash and bench pressed 185 pounds 32 times on Sunday. "I visited the school last week on Junior Day, walked around, saw the facilities and just decided it was time."

Lawrence, who grew up playing soccer before first getting on a football field as a freshman, played nose guard last season and middle linebacker while weighing nearly 35 pounds lighter. He said Florida State is recruiting him as a defensive tackle. Lawrence said he plans to enroll in the summer.

Florida State currently has seven players committed to its 2011 class. Earlier this month, the Seminoles signed one player from Broward County: All-American defensive back Lamarcus Joyner.

Back in January, TrainersRUs.net hosted its first ever underclass combine at Monsignor Pace High School, and while rain and cold temperatures prevented the players from going outside to showcase their skills, dozens still attended and took part in the combine.

This Saturday, Feb. 27, those same athletes from South Florida, who came to the first event, will be invited back at no charge, and the combine will welcome the players who missed the first event for just $25.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. with a registration and continue with an 8:30 start.

Each athlete will have the opportunity to test for speed, strength and other events that will enhance their standing as they head toward the spring.

All results from the event will be distributed to colleges across the country and NOT be furnished to fan websites, which many parents have already expressed concern. Often times, fan websites post times and other numbers that do not help the athlete and become counter-productive to the process!

For information on the combine, call Mario Smith at 786-285-3699. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.TrainersRUs.net.

Monsignor Pace High School is located at 15600 N.W. 32nd Ave. in Miami Gardens.

If you plan on being at this impressive combine, please register or call by Thursday, Feb. 25.

Generation Nexxt will also be on hand to bring you photos and post combine interviews.

Here is a look at the players who came out for the first combine and are expected back along with some other players:

February 21, 2010

Teddy Bridgewater doesn't consider himself "a combine guy." He says running laser-timed 40-yard dashes under the watchful eye of coaches he doesn't know -- or care to know -- simply doesn't bring out the same intensity in him as when he's being chased by defensive players trying to knock his head off.

That's why the 6-3, 175-pound junior quarterback from Miami Northwestern -- and the top 2011 recruit in the state of Florida -- wasn't bothered much by the fact he was clocked at 4.88 seconds three times during Sunday's Miami Under Armour Combine.

"To me, the game is what you're evaluated by -- not the numbers," said Bridgewater, who threw for 2,546 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season while rushing for 379 yards and five more scores. "When I run a 40, I just run a 40 to see how I run. When I'm on the field, I'm running to win the game."

Bridgewater (LISTEN TO HIS INTERVIEW) didn't need to win over any scouts inside the practice bubble at the Miami Dolphins practice facility Sunday. They know what he can do. But for most of the other close to 250 local participants from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties who participated in various drills such as the 40-yard dash, the three-cone drills, the short shuttle, the bench press, and vertical leap, Sunday's final day of the Under Armour combine was a great opportunity to draw more eyeballs and potentially college scholarship offers.

And there were definitely a few locals who stood out. My Combine MVP awards went to Columbus receiver Tacoi Sumler, Nova High defensive tackle Nile Lawrence, and Plantation linebacker Ryan Shazier. Here are a few tidbits on our camp MVPs and a few other standout participants...

> There weren't many who had a much better day than Sumler. The 5-8, 175-pound receiver/cornerback who recently transferred from Gulliver Prep, ran a 4.33 40-yard dash and the L-cone drill in 6.73 seconds, a drill made especially to demonstrate the ability to cut and change direction quickly. Later on in one-on-one drills, he burned several cornerbacks who tried to cover him for easy touchdowns. Already with 12 offers from schools like South Carolina, West Virginia, Florida State, FIU, Tulane, Arkansas, Clemson and Stanford, Sumler, who had over 900 all-purpose yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a junior, is expecting to get offers from Florida and Cal soon. He said he talks to University of Miami coaches often and grew up a UM fan. He said he is waiting to see if the Canes will offer him.

> Another receiver who was hard to miss was St. Thomas Aquinas' Phillip Dorsett, who was more than happy with his 4.41 time in the 40-yard dash. Dorsett, listed a 5-9, 165, said he's received offers from Ohio State, Notre, Dame, Tennessee, North Carolina and Florida and said he likes the Buckeyes because they were the first team to offer him and because they have former teammate Duron Carter. But he grew up a UM fan and said he would love to get a Hurricanes offer. "That's always been my dream school," Dorsett said. "Santana Moss is my favorite player." AUDIO INTERVIEW

> Northwestern's Eli Rogers (5-10, 175) doesn't have a formal offer from any school yet, but said the Hurricanes are on him hardest and he gets letters daily from Florida, Florida State, Oregon and Alabama. Rogers wasn't happy with his 40-time of 4.57 seconds, but showed everyone how talented he can be in the open field during 7-on-7 and 1-on-1 drills, catching passes and making big plays. AUDIO INTERVIEW

> Defensively, it seemed, there were plenty more impressive players. The easiest one to spot was Ryan Shazier (6-2, 205) -- especially with his cleanly shaven head. The All-Broward First Team selection, who had 19.5 sacks last season, ran an eye-opening 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and had a 34.5-inch vertical leap. He also performed well during one-on-one drills in pass coverage. Shazier said he has nine offers, including one from Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, South Carolina and is waiting for the Hurricanes to offer him. "I like them," Shazier said. "I know I can fit their program. If they don't want me, they don't want me. But you always like to have a program that's close to home."

> Shazier's new teammate Jeremy Cash, formerly of Ransom Everglades, already has plenty of big name schools after him including Miami, North Carolina and Ohio State. The 6-2, 195-pound safety didn't disappoint at the combine, running the 40 in 4.58 seconds and knocking away several passes in seven on seven drills. His father, Byron Martin, said Jeremy is interested in going to a school with a good medical program. Cash plans to graduate early and enroll in January.

> If there is one player whose recruiting stock is rising quickly, it is Lawrence (6-2, 270). The former middle linebacker who continues to grow, impressed recruiting analysts with 32 reps on the bench of 185 pounds. He also ran an impressive 4.9 in the 40-yard dash, showing he has the motor to go with the strength. Lawrence, whose only previous offer had come from Colorado, said he was offered by Florida State recently. He said he likes the Seminoles a lot.

> Lawrence wasn't the only defensive line prospect to shine. Jackson defensive end Ruben Carter (6-4, 270) said he already has offers from FIU, Georgia Tech and Rutgers. He said he ran the 40 in 5.28 seconds and bench pressed 185 pounds 20 times. Carter is also being looked at potentially as an offensive linemen. Booker T. Washington's Elkino Watson (6-3, 260) had a stellar junior season for the Tornadoes after transferring from Carol City and followed it up Sunday with solid numbers. He ran the 40 in 4.81 seconds and had 22 reps on the bench.

> Southridge defensive back standouts Gerod Holliman and Andrew Johnson both participated with the elite group Sunday. Holliman (6-1, 180) wasn't happy with his 4.65 time in the 40-yard dash, but the All-Dade Third Team selection thought he did well in other events. Johnson (5-10, 160) ran a 4.57. The All-Dade Second Team selection had seven interceptions as a junior. Both said they play to visit the University of Miami unofficially this week, where they hope to land offers.

> Monsignor Pace defensive back Jabari Gorman (5-10, 175) is another player who hopes to enroll in school early. Boasting a 4.17 GPA and a score of 19 on the ACT, its no surprise that Gorman has already gotten offers from more than a dozen schools including UM. Among the others are Mississippi, Tennessee, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Florida, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Iowa. Sunday, he ran a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash and leaped 9.1 feet in the standing long jump. AUDIO INTERVIEW

Under Armour is expected to release more numbers from this weekend's combine as early as Monday morning. Check back for full results later this week...

February 18, 2010

Former Texas Tech Head Coach Mike Leach Headlines Three-Day Event to Train Local Football Players How to Reach the Next Level.

The nation’s premier high school football combine event, the Under Armour Combine Series, visits Miami to bring together the area’s top high school football players. Players will participate in NFL-style combine drills – including the 20-yard shuttle, vertical jump, 40-yard dash and broad jump – and receive performance training guidance from some of football’s most knowledgeable coaches. This three-day event also will feature a youth clinic, skills camp and interactive discussion with former Texas Tech Head Coach Mike Leach. Under Armour Combines are a 360 degree approach to athletic experience and development designed to provide the one true measure of each athlete’s potential.

The best high school football players in the Miami area, Under Armour All-America Football coaches and former NFL/NCAA Coaches, including:

Mike Leach: winningest coach in Texas Tech historyGene Dahlquist: former offensive coordinator at University of Texas, Illinois, Iowa State, Boise State and OregonGeorge Henshaw: running backs coach of the New Orleans Saints; former offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos and N.Y. GiantsRex Norris: former defensive line coach for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Tennessee Oilers/Titans Zaven Yaralian: former defensive coordinator for the University of Florida; coached with the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants George Hegamin: former NFL offensive lineman